Heat Focus on Bringing Back Ray Allen

Chris Trotman/Getty Images(MIAMI) — The Miami Heat are shifting their attention to bringing back one of the players who saved their championship hopes. Ray Allen hit the game tying three-pointer in Game 6 against the Spurs that sent them into overtime and eventually forced a game 7.

“There will certainly be communication between us and Ray,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said on Monday. “He was such an important piece of what we did. We think even if it was just that one shot, it was worth it. There were so many things that he provided. And he fit. His personality fit. His professionalism fit. He helped guys get better.”

Allen could opt out of his two-year contract this weekend and test free agency next month, but his teammates believe winning this year and going for a three-peat next season will be enough to keep him in a Heat uniform.